Lansing, MI – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signaled a pragmatic shift in her approach to President-elect Donald Trump, suggesting a willingness to work with the incoming administration to secure the best outcomes for Michigan.
Whitmer, a two-term Democratic governor of the pivotal battleground state, has long been a prominent figure in national politics. As Michigan’s leader, she faced off against Trump during his first term, notably over the federal government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with Trump’s return to the White House in 2024, Whitmer’s tone has softened, and she has expressed a readiness to find common ground with the president-elect.
During an interview at a meeting of Democratic governors in Los Angeles, Whitmer was asked about her relationship with Trump in the aftermath of the election. She responded by emphasizing that her oath was to Michigan, regardless of the political backdrop. “People in Michigan, like a majority of Americans, voted for Donald Trump, and my oath is to Michigan,” Whitmer stated. “Obviously, I’ve got experience in this type of environment that will help inform how I continue to fight for Michigan. But I know Donald Trump cares about Michigan. And I’m hoping that because of that, we’ll be able to find some common ground in some important ways.”
Whitmer’s remarks come in the context of a state that played a key role in Trump’s 2024 victory. The former president regained Michigan in the election, a critical win in his re-capture of the White House. Whitmer, who has been widely speculated as a potential contender for the presidency in 2028, is likely aware of the importance of maintaining a constructive relationship with the federal government, especially given the role the administration plays in allocating aid and funding to states.
Her comments reflect a careful balancing act. While she has been a vocal critic of Trump’s leadership in the past, including during his handling of the pandemic, Whitmer’s current approach suggests a more diplomatic stance, focused on Michigan’s interests rather than ideological divisions.
Whitmer’s willingness to work with Trump contrasts with her earlier, more combative posture. During Trump’s first term, she often found herself at odds with the administration, especially when the president clashed with state leaders over COVID-19 restrictions. At one point, she was even rumored to be considered as a potential running mate for then-Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2020 election, a position she ultimately declined in order to complete her second term as governor.
In an interesting side note, Whitmer was at the center of a widely publicized “hot mic” moment in the final weeks of the 2024 election campaign. While sitting at a bar in Kalamazoo with Vice President Harris, the two Democrats were overheard discussing Harris’s struggle to connect with male voters. The conversation quickly ended when they realized their remarks were being picked up by nearby microphones, adding a layer of intrigue to the already high-stakes campaign season.
Whitmer was not the only Democratic governor to signal a willingness to work with the incoming Trump administration. New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who was also in Los Angeles for the governors’ meeting, revealed that she had already spoken with Trump following his victory. During their conversation, Hochul played up Trump’s New York roots, calling him a “president who is a New Yorker, has been a New Yorker, and would understand how important it is for the success of our state.”
These signals from two prominent Democratic governors suggest a potential shift in how state leaders from swing states are approaching the new administration. With Trump’s return to the White House, the dynamic between state and federal governments will be closely watched, and the ability to work across party lines could be critical to securing resources and support for state-level priorities.
As Whitmer looks ahead to 2027, when her second term as governor concludes, all eyes will remain on her political future. Her actions now could set the stage for a potential presidential run in 2028, as Michigan remains a key battleground state in national elections.
For now, Whitmer’s message seems clear: while political differences remain, she is focused on Michigan’s interests and is willing to engage with Trump to secure meaningful support for her state. The question remains how this cooperation might play out in the years to come, especially as both Whitmer and Trump navigate their respective political futures.
